9 merry ways to celebrate Christmas in Sydney

Thrill-seekers, this one’s for you: it's not every day you see water stunts featuring jetpack elves battling the Grinch on a jet ski. Top it all off, Santa himself will make a grand entrance on jetski and then meet and greet with little ones at Palm Grove. The first-ever Cockle Bay Spectacular will take place on Saturday, December 6, capped off with a 9pm firework finale over Darling Harbour. But the fun doesn't stop there, with live tunes from the Golden Kangaroo Marching Band, and a DJ.

Clear your calendar for Saturday, December 13, because Tumbalong Park is throwing a Christmas shindig you won’t want to miss. Expect music from Lenny Pearce (Toddler Techno), harmonies from Sydney Harmony, and vocals from Christine and Zipporah Anu, all hosted by TikTok fave Jayden Rodrigues. Oh, and Santa’s crashing the party, too. Free entry and good vibes guaranteed.

Kill two birds: enjoy trawling market stores on the Barangaroo South foreshore while also getting some Christmas shopping done. Indulge in gourmet bites and pick up one-of-a-kind artisan gifts just in time for Christmas. The markets run on the third Friday of every month from November through to February – a Friday adventure that’s a little different than Friday drinks.

Pack a picnic and a few cold ones (yep, you read that right, it’s BYO), then head to Tallawoladah Lawn for an afternoon of live music by the harbour. Soak up soulful originals and a fresh twist on Christmas classics from Gordi, Mo’Ju, Adam Newling and more. No picnic? No problem – grab takeaway from one of over 50 eateries in Sydney’s historic precinct. The free two-day concert runs December 6 and December 7 from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.

Forget traditional pine, this year, Barangaroo is going native. Step into an immersive celebration of Australia’s Aboriginal culture and the local flora with the Native Living Christmas Trees. The towering trees, adorned with artwork by First Nations artist Rubyrose Bancroft, will be on display from November 15 through to Christmas Day.

Still hunting for gifts? The Rocks Markets has you covered with plenty of handmade treasures, from Blue Mountains Lavender beauty products to fresh fashion from b.carlon, plus delicious bites to fuel your shopping trip. The markets are open every Friday from 10am until 3pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 5pm, until December 21. And if you’re feeling inspired to shop until you drop, you can always explore local boutiques for luxe scents at DUX Collection or handmade jewellery from Maewenn Designs. 

Plus, don’t miss the sustainable Furoshiki gift wrapping workshop on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 14. For just $25, learn the art of Furoshiki, a traditional zero-waste Japanese wrapping technique with Nina Gbor of Eco Styles – just BYO gift and learn to wrap it like a pro.

Planning an end-of-year catch-up? Head to the new Pier Pavilion. This waterfront gem will transform into a festive pop-up bar serving up Spritzes with sunset views and live music. The Pier Social will be running from Thursday to Saturday throughout the silly season. Round up the crew and get ready to party. 

You may think you’re dreaming, but nope – that really is a Christmas tree floating on the water at Darling Harbour. Add giant Living Christmas Presents, dressed in red bows and towering vertical gardens, and the illusion is complete. Pretty cool, if you ask us.

And if all the excitement is making you hungry, refuel at nearby eateries. Have an Italian-style Christmas feast at Fratelli Fresh without breaking the bank, turn it up a notch with a four-course chrissy menu from Jordan's Seafood, or go all out with a Christmas Eve buffet at The Ternary and Champers at W Sydney's BTWN.

With more than 50 dining spots, The Rocks is a foodie’s dream. From a hearty roast and pint at Australia’s oldest pub, Fortune of War, to rooftop cocktails with harbour views at The Glenmore, and modern Asian flavours at Luna Lu, this historic precinct serves up something for every craving.